Mcfadden



United ,States Patent O The present invention relates in general to fluid actuated tools and more particularly to a liuid actuated tool of the portable rotary type.

`ljleretofore, in uid actuated rotary tools, the rotor thereof has been mounted on the upper portion of the chamber or uid tube in close relationship to the intake valve.- Therefore, the axis of rotation of the rotor was in direct alignment with the central axis of the tubularhousing and air chamber thereof. Further, a cutting irnplement, commonly known as the cutter or grinder, had the axis of rotation thereof also in alignment with the central axis of the tubular housing and chamber.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to provide a fluid actuated rotary tool having the rotating axis of a work engaging implement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a housing and chamber. y

Another object of the present invention is to provide a uid actuated rotary tool having a rotor or turbine thereof at the lowermost extremity of a housing and chamber to provide a pendulum balance to minimize vibrations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid actuated rotary tool having a rotor or turbine thereof atthe head of the tool and in close relationship to a work engaging implement, to enable the operator to place and swing the work engaging implement in small cavities or impressions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid actuated rotary tool having the axis of rotation of a rotor or turbine thereof perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of a housing and chamber to provide a simplified and inexpensive tool without sacrificing yefliciency, durability or ease of operation.

Other objects and features will appear upon further perusal of the detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is anelevational view of the fluid actuated rotary tool embodied in the present invention;

Figure 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, taken substantially along line Z-Zof Figure 1.

Briefly described, a fluid actuated rotary tool is herein provided comprising a suitable tubular housing having a bore therethrough. The tubular housing provides an elongated-handle by means of which the tool is; manipulated. ,1 N

For providing an air passage throughout the entire length of the tubular housing, a suitable fluid tube or chamber is provided, which is received by the bore of the tubular housing. The fluid tube or chamber is provided with a suitable narrow passage duct or communicating chamber for receiving the driving fluid, which in the preferred embodiment is air.

To provide a supplyof iiuid or airintake, -a suitable nipple is received by a threaded section at one extrem-` ity ofthe tubular housing and has a d uct therein communicating or registering with the air tube or uid chamber.'

4In order to control the fluid ow, a suitable needle valve is mounted at said one extremity of the tubular housing Y 2,732,671 Patented Jan. 31, 1956 and has a needle therein movably adjustable to control fluid ow. A suitable housing cap section is mounted at said one extremity of the tubular housing and encompasses the needle valve.

According to the invention, such as a grinder or cutter is mounted on the other extremity of the tubular housing and fluid chamber, and

has a central rotating axis perpendicular to the longitudinal or central axis of the tubular housing.

For supporting and rotating the work engaging implement, a rotor shaft is provided as a threaded section to receive the cooperating extension of the work engaging implement.

In order to rotate therotor shaft for rotating the work engaglng implement, a circular rotor or turbine wheel is provided and has a bore therethrough to receive the rotor shaft, which is iixedly secured to the rotor. The circular rotor or turbine wheel is mounted at said other extremity of the tubular housing and has the central rotating axis thereof perpendicular to the longitudinal or central axis of the tubular housing and fluid chamber. 'The circular rotor or turbine wheel, in the preferred embodiment, is constructed with integrally formed radial vanes or teeth upon its periphery, which extend from one end face to the opposite end face of the rotor and are disposed with arcuate configurations concentric with the axis of the rotor. Each tooth or vane has maximum width at the midway point of the opposite faces of the rotor and gradually decreases in width as the extremities of the tooth approach the opposite faces to provide a configuration similar in shape to a quarter moon. Ridges or spaces are provided between the vanes or teeth to permit passage of the fluid and to enable rotation by fluid pressure.

The rotor shaft, therefore, supports both the ixedly attached circular rotor and the work engaging implement. For supporting the rotatable rotor shaft suitable ball bearings are provided. The ball bearings are housed by a rotor'or drive housing, which is secured to said other extremity of the tubular housing. The rotor or drive housing, which has the turbine wheel or circular rotor contained therein, has an air intake duct or port therein which communicates or registers with the air chamber to permit fluid pressure to actuate the circular rotor or turbine wheel. In addition thereto, a suitable exhaust duct or port is provided in the drive housing and communicates with the iiuid that has actuated the rotor to permit the uid to discharge into the outside atmosphere.

Accordingly, at one extremity of the tubular housing is mounted the cap section, intake nipple and the needle valve. At the opposite extremity ofthe tubular housing tudinal axis of the tubular housing and similarly the cen-v tral axis ofthe work engagingimplement is. perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the tubular'housing..I Referring to Figures l and 2 fora more detailed dc' scription, a iluidactuated rotary tool 10 is herein provided comprising a suitable tubularhousing `11 having a longitudinal bore 12 therethrough. 11 provides an elongated handle by means of which the' tool 10 is manipulated. j

In order .to provide a narrow passage for the uidunder I pressure throughout the entire length of the tubular 'housing, a suitable communicating chamber or fluid tube 134 is received by the bore 12. The communicating chamber or uid tube 13 has a longitudinal fluid passageway 14 therethrough, which extends throughout the entire length of the a work engaging implement` having suitable means such The tubular housing 3l tubular housing'll. TheV upper'portion of the communicatingchamber 13: is provided with suitable exterior threads 15 and the lower portion thereof is provided with suitable exterior threads 16.

I'norder toprovide a supply of" fluid or air intake, a' suitable nipple section or fluid delivery'section 17is provided. The tubular housing 11 has'a bore' 18 therein surrounded by threads 19 which receiveexterior threads` 20 onL a steml 212 of the nipple section 17. The cooperation between` theA threads 19 and 2f) secures the nipple section 1275 to theitubular housing 11. An4 increased diameter portion 22. on the' stem 21 provides the air co-nnector securing means for the nipple section 171 The stem 21 has a bore 23" and al. counterbore 24 therethrough to'provide a communicatiiigI or registering passage with theA ai'r communi'- cating tule-.13. For this purpose, a suitable air d'uct'ZS is provided in the uid tube 13 to provide communication betweenthe'lbngitudinal fluid passageway 14 and the nipple section-17.

For controlling theA fluid flow from the nipple section 17 to-the air communicating passageway 14, a suitable valve 261 isfprovided, which in the preferred embodiment is a needle valve.

For mounting the needle valve 26 and closing the upper portion of the tubular housing 11, a cap section 27 is provided. The cap section 27 comprises a cap 28 having a bore 29; The bore 29 is partially surrounded by threads 30, and the cooperation between the threads 30 and the threadssecures the cap section 27 to the tubular housing 11. The borey 29 of the cap 28 receives the air communicating tube 13. The cap 28 is also provided with a` decreased diameter portion 29 having external threads 30'V thereon; The threads`30' receive a packing nut 31. The packing nut 31 is provided with suitable internal threads 32 which: cooperate with the external threads 30 ofthe'y cap 28to-secure the packing nut'31 to the cap 28. Thepacking-nut'31' is providedwith a bore 33. A stern 35 of the needle valve 26 is received by the bore 33 and has a threaded portion 36 thereon which cooperates with the threads-34 ofthe cap 2S tofenable the stem 35 to bel mova bly,y adjusted to control theuid flow from thenipple section 17 to the air tube 13. The stem 35 extends into the communicating fluid passageway 14. A suitable knurled knob' isfprovided for the needle valve 26 to adjust the position of the stem 35. It is`notedthat the nipple section 17; needle valve 26 andlcapfsection 27 are-secured at one extremity of the tubular housing 1-1.

According to they invention, at the other extremity ofthe tubular housing 11 is secureda drive'or rotor housing 37.. For securing thedrive or bodyhousing 37 to the tubular housing 1'1, suitable means are` provided such as a top body plate 38 having a bore 39 thereinsurrounded by internalthreads 4f). The bore 39 receives the lower extremity of` the` air communicating tube 13, and the threads' 4tlcooperatezwith the threads.l'tozsecurethe rotor housing 37 to' the .tubular housing 11.

The body or rotor housing 37 comprises an end plate 41 and a. cylinder 42 secured to the top body plate 38 in asuitable; manner. The cylinder 42 supports a pair of ball bearings 43-and. 44 positioned at opposite ends thereofi. Theball bearings 43 and 44 support a drive or rotor` shaftz45..

For; rotating the, drive shaft.45, a circular' rotor or-turv binezwheel is'provided` It;is'to be noted'thatthe drive shaft and the rotatable' axis of the circular rotor or turbine wheel 46 traverses the central longitudinal axisof the tubular housing 11. The: turbinewheel46 is provided with a bore. therethrough to receive the drive shaft 45`which is.y fixedly secured thereto. The circular rotor or turbine wheel 46 is mounted on the other extremity ofthe tubular' housingi 1,1. and has the; central. rotating: axis thereof, perpendicular; to; thee longitudinal or: central` axis' of: the tubuz lar housing 11and.iluidchaniber.13-l

Thercirculanrotor oryturbinewheel 46, inthe-preferred embodiment,l is; constructed with. integrally formed radial.

4. vanes or teeth 47 upon its periphery, which extend from oneendy face to-theoppositeu end faceof the rotor 46-and are disposed with arcuate configurations concentric with iii) the axis of the rotor 46. Each tooth or vane 47 has maximum width at the midway point of the opposite faces of the rotor 46 and gradually decreases in width as the extremities of the tooth 47 approach the opposite faces to provide a configuration similar. in shape to a quarter moon. Ridges or spaces 48Y are. provided between the vanes and teeth 47 to permit passage ofthe fluidand to enable rotation by fluid pressure.

For actuating the circular rotor or turbine wheel. 46, the drive housingy 37 is provided' with an' intake' duct or port 49, communicating or registering with the fluid passageway 14 of the air tube 13. The intake duct or port 49 is positioned at one end of the drive housing 37 and the circular rotor 46 so that the Huid under pressure is directed tangentially against the periphery of the rotor wheel 46.

ForV discharging the fluid' into the outside: atmosphere, an exhaust duct or port 50 is provided in the' drive housingl 37. The exhaust duct 50v is' positioned at' thev other. endt of4 the drive housing 37 opposite to the positioningv of theintake duct 49.

In the preferred embodiment, thedrivev shaft has'a borey 59 surrounded by internal threads 51 to receive a' shaft 52 of a work engaging implement 53, such as a' grin'd'l er or mitter. The shafth'as external threads54 to coop-4 erate with threads-51 to secure'the'work engaging'implcment 53 tothe drive'shaft 45for rotation therewith. The drive housing 37' also comprisesk an end plate 55 and a lock washer 56l For protecting the operator from flying' objects, asuitable wheel guard 57 isprovided, which is se'- curedl to the-drive housing 37 by'suitable` means suchasa screw58.

ItV is tobenoted that at: the other'extremityof" the tu*- bular housingy 1-1 is mounted the drive housing 37; The drive-housing contains'the circular rotor'or turbine wheel 46. The' turbine-wheel or rotor 46'has its centralirot'ating axis perpendicular to the central longitudinalv axisof the tubulark housing 11; Secured to the rotor 46vr is a drive' shaft 45 whichV rotates the work engaging'implementY 53; Accordingly, theV axis of rotation ofthel work engaging' implement 53 is perpendicular to the central longitudinalv axis of the .tubular housing 1v1.

InI oper-ation, fluid underpressure is received: by thel nipple section/'17 and-communicatesl or registers withV they air tube or chamber 13 through'the duct/25'. The'needlevalve section 26 controls the ow'offluid under pressure into the fluid passageway 14 of the'tubel13; The fluidL under pressure travels through the air tube 13 tothe lowermostv extremity of the tubularf housing 11. At the. lowermost extremity of the' tubular' housingy 1T, the huid underpressure passes fronrtheairl tube 13I to the drive housing'37 through the'ntakeduct49of"thc drive housing; Thereupon, the fluid underpressure engages tangentiallythe periphery of the rotor O'r turbine46'to`v provide rotation thereof. The rotating of the rotor 46 rotatesl the drive shaft 45, which in turn'drives the work engaging implementl 53. The fluid under: pressure is.

dischargedto the outside atmosphere through duct Variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

1. Ih a fluid actuated rotar-y tool, a tubular housing' providing an elongated handle, a tube extending'throughout theentire. length of said tubular housing for,A receiving fluidtherethrough, a fluid deliverysection-mounted'oir-the* upper extremity of said tubularl housing and:k communi'- cating with said tube to provide fluid thereto, avalvese'c# tion mounted onfthe-uppermost extremity of said-tubular housing for' controlling the" fiow of fiuid fromsaid fluid' delivery section to said' tube, adrive housingJ secul'ed'to4 the lowerrnostrextremity of saidtubular; housing, anotar' mounted' in said4 drive housing, anl intake duct in- Said drive housing communicating with said tube for directing fluid against said rotor for rotation thereof, an exhaust duct in said drive housing for discharging the fluid therein to the outside atmosphere, a drive shaft fixedly secured to said rotor for rotation therewith, and a grinding tool xedly secured directly to said drive shaft to provide a cutting edge that maintains maximum speed.

2. In a fluid actuated rotary tool, a tubular housing providing an elongated handle and having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis, a tube in said tubular housing for receiving fluid therethrough, a fluid delivery section mounted on the upper extremity of said tubular housing and communicating withV said tube to provide fluid thereto, a valve section mounted on the uppermost extremity of said tubular housing for controlling the flow of fluid from said Huid delivery section to said tube, a drive housing secured to the lowermost extremity of said tubular housing, a rotor mounted in said drive housing and having a centrally disposed rotatable axis perpendicular to the longitudinally disposed axis of said tubular housing, transversely arcuate vanes on said rotor for maintaining maximum speeds, an intake duct in said drive housing communicating with said tube for directing iiuid against transversely arcuate vanes on said rotor for rotation thereof, an exhaust duct in said drive housing for discharging the uid therein to the outside atmosphere, a drive shaft ixedly secured to said rotor for rotation therewith, and a grinding tool having a centrally disposed rotatable axis perpendicular to the longitudinally disposed axis of said tubular housing and secured directly to said drive shaft for maintaining maximum speeds, and to provide a rotary tool having a pendulum movement to minimize vibrations.

3. In a fluid actuated rotary tool, a tubular housing having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis, a tube in said tubular housing for receiving fluid therethrough, a fluid delivery section registering with said tubular housing and communicating with said tube to supply iluid, a drive housing mounted on the lowermost extremity of said tubular housing, a rotor having opposite end faces encompassed by said drive housing and having centrally disposed rotatable axis perpendicular to the longitudinally disposed axis of said tubular housing, transversely arcuate vanes integrally formed on said rotor for maintaining maximum speeds, each of said transversely arcuate vanes disposed concentric with the axis of said rotor and having a maximum width at the midway point between the opposite end faces of said rotor and gradually decreasing in Width as the extremities thereof approach the opposite end faces of said rotor for reducing fluid turbulence, ridges on said rotor spaced between said vanes to permit the passage of fluid between said vanes, a uid intake duct in said drive housing communicating with said tube for directing fluid against said transversely arcuate vanes of said rotor for rotation thereof, an exhaust duct in said drive housing for discharging the fluid therein to the outside atmosphere, a drive shaft xedly secured to said rotor for rotation therewith, and a work engaging implement fixedly secured to said drive shaft and having centrally disposed rotatable axis perpendicular to the longitudinally disposed axis of said tubular housing to provide a rotary tool having a pendulum balance to minimize vibrations.

4. ln a fluid actuated rotary tool, a tubular housing, a tube in said tubular housing for receiving uid therethrough, a fluid delivery section registering with said tubular housing and communicating with said tube to supply uid, a drive housing mounted on the lowermost extremity of said tubular housing, a rotor having opposite end faces encompassed by said drive housing and having centrally disposed rotatable axis, transversely arcuate vanes integrally formed on said rotary, each of said transversely arcuate vanes disposed concentric with the axis of said rotor and having a maximum width at the midway point between the opposite end faces of said rotor and gradually decreasing in width as the extremities thereof approach the end faces of said rotor for reducing fluid turbulence, ridges on said rotor spaced between said vanes to permit the passage of fluid between said vanes, a fluid intake duct in said drive housing communicating with said tube for directing uid against said transversely arcuate vanes on said rotor for rotation thereof, an exhaust duct in said drive housing for discharging the fluid to the outside atmosphere, a drive shaft xedly secured to said rotor for rotation therewith, and a work engaging implement fixedly secured to said drive shaft to provide a rotary tool.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 691,740 Birkenstock Jan. 28, 1902 1,270,808 Franklin July 2, 1918 1,313,842 Tridico Aug. 19, 1919 1,412,400 Gasser Apr. 11, 1922 1,595,388 Elliott Aug. 10, 1926 2,408,280 Wilcox Sept. 24, 1946 2,570,009 Schmid Oct. 2, 1951 

